You had to see this one coming.
The only thing missing in Harrisburg is the distinctive voice of Michael Buffer:
"Let's get ready to RUMMMMMMBLEEEE!"
You can call this one the main event, and it was set in motion last winter when newly minted Democratic Gov. Tom Wolf rolled out a budget that called for a massive hike in spending, funded by hikes in the personal income and sales taxes, along with a new levy on natural gas extraction in the state.
Republicans who control both the state House and Senate warned him his budget had no chance.
He fired back that he would veto any GOP budget that did not address what he considered the crucial problems facing the state, including finding more money for education.
So what happened?
Pretty much exactly what I figured would take place.
The Republicans passed their own spending plan, crowing that it was on time - just as former Republican Gov. Tom Corbett had done for four straight years - and that it contained no tax hikes.
Wolf didn't blink. Late last night he announced he would veto the entire spending plan.
The deadline for the state to have a spending plan in place was midnight last night.
Guess what? The deadline came and went.
So what happens now.
Well, Wolf at least is inviting legislative leaders to meet today.
This is now a heavyweight bout. The lack of a fiscal plan won't really have an effect right away, although a stalemate could wreak havoc with our elected representatives' July 4th plans.
Stay tuned. This one could get very interesting.
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